their heads high upon thick, muscular, arching
necks. They stood about fourteen hands high, and were of a beautiful
deep cream colour, with short black manes, black switched tails similar
to that of the gemsbok, and their legs were black from the knee
downward. But their most remarkable characteristic was that the
stallions were provided with a single, straight, black, sharply pointed
horn, some three feet in length, projecting from the very centre of the
forehead, two or three inches above the level of the eyes. They were
descending the slope that led down to the water, and were advancing at a
walk, their paces being singularly graceful and easy. Their leader, an
exceedingly fine and handsome animal, was a yard or two in advance of
the rest, and, with arching neck and head carried somewhat low, he came
on, peering alertly right and left, evidently on the watch for possible
enemies.

"We must get a pair--two pairs if we can," murmured von Schalckenberg in
a low tone, rendered hoarse by excitement and anxiety. "You take the
leader and another stallion, I will look out for the mares. Aim for
just behind the shoulder. Are you ready?"

"Yes," breathed Mildmay.

"Then _fire_!" whispered the professor. And, as the rifle-hammers
softly clicked, the thud of the bullets was heard, and the leader and a
handsome mare dropped, shot through the heart. The troop halted
instantly, snorting nervously and glancing quickly to right and left,
clearly puzzled at this sudden and unaccountable fall of two of their
number. Quick as thought the hidden sportsmen each selected a fresh
victim, and ere one could count ten another pair of the beautiful
creatures were down. This was enough; the unicorns now realised that
some mysterious deadly influence was at work among them, and, throwing
up their heads, they swerved short round and dashed off up the slope
again, over the ridge of which they vanished the next moment, uttering
shrill neighs of alarm.

The two hunters rose to their feet and shook hands in mutual
congratulation at their splendid luck ere they stepped out from their
ambush to inspect and admire this magnificent and unique addition to
their "bag." The animals were all superb specimens, in perfect
condition, without a blemish; their coats smooth and glossy as satin,
the horns of the males long, straight, tough, and with points as sharp
as that of a bayonet. The professor was in a perfect ecstasy of
delight; he declared